He gave up the command at York in the year 1851, and, liking the place and neighbourhood, remained there in a residence which he rented at Bishopthorpe. His health broke down in 1852, and in the following year he died, and was buried in the churchyard at Bishopthorpe. The church has since been pulled down, and the churchyard, which is adjacent to the gardens of the Archiepiscopal Palace, closed. His tomb is on the south side of the old graveyard, and bears the following inscription:—
SACRED TO THE MEMORY
OF
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR WILLIAM WARRE
C.B., K.T.S., K.C., St Bento D’Avis
Colonel of the 94th Regiment
Died at York, 26th July 1853, aged 69 Years.
[1] See Oman, vol. ii., pp. 355-9.
LETTERS FROM THE PENINSULA
1808
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
In June 1808 the British Government determined to send assistance to the Spaniards, who had risen in revolt against the French domination in the Peninsula.
Spain, which had been an enemy, was now regarded as a friend.
In the previous year, an expedition under General Whitelock had been despatched to invade the Spanish Colonies in America, with disastrous results. In 1808 a force of about 9000 men was already assembled in Ireland, with a view to renewing this attempt under a more competent General. But in the altered circumstances the destination of these troops was changed, and they were placed under the command of Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, with orders to proceed to Portugal and to co-operate with the Spaniards and Portuguese in attacking the French.